In the Matter of the Vacancy in
Judgeship No. 2 in the Southeast Judicial District

[1] On March 4, 2014, Governor Jack Dalrymple notified this Court of the retirement of the Honorable John T. Paulson as Judge of the District Court, Southeast Judicial District, effective June 3, 2014. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 a vacancy in the office of district judge will be created upon Judge Paulson’s retirement.

[2] Within 90 days after the notification of the vacancy, N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 requires the Supreme Court to determine whether the office is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court may order that: (1) the vacancy be filled; (2) the vacant office be transferred to a judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary for effective judicial administration; or (3) the vacant office be abolished with or without transfer of a district judgeship to any location in which a judge is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court considered the matter, and

[3] ORDERED, the Supreme Court undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the Southeast Judicial District on this matter under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2. Any person wishing to comment on the vacancy may do so in writing no later than Friday, April 4, 2014.

[4] It is expected the Supreme Court will receive a report discussing the factors under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, Section 4, for each of the counties in the Southeast Judicial District from the Court Administrator for Unit 2. Written comments may be e-mailed to Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

[5] Entered this day of March 5, 2014, at the direction of the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice, and the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers and the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices.